Fire and Emergency Response Management (FERM)

Bachelor of Applied Studies Degree

The first of its kind in Wisconsin and developed by fire chiefs, UW Oshkosh’s online FERM program prepares students to manage complex public health and safety organizations. It is tailored to working firefighters and emergency response personnel.

All FERM courses provide learning opportunities for individuals who wish to advance in their current career or a related field. Students will gain knowledge in:

Personnel management

Writing and communication

Administrative law

Budgeting

Conflict resolution

Data gathering and analysis

Management

Leadership

Applicants must have successfully completed an associate degree in an appropriate fire science area. Such areas may include fire protection, fire science, paramedic technician, wildland firefighting or emergency management.

Eligible Associate Degrees

Most students transfer in approximately 60 credits!

A block of up to 45 credits will be awarded to students with an approved technical degree, plus credits for applicable general education courses. Potential students for this program include graduates of technical college programs in the following areas:

Emergency Management

Fire Engineering

Fire Medic

Fire Protection Engineering Technology

Fire Protection Technician

Paramedic Technician

Wildland Firefighter

Don't have an associate degree?

If you don't have an associate degree or aren't interested in the bachelor's degree program, UW Oshkosh offers a Leadership Certificate in Fire and Emergency Response Management. This 18-credit certificate is open to all fire and emergency management personnel, and all courses are offered online. Click here to learn more >>

Online Program Delivery

The FERM program at UW Oshkosh is offered completely online.

Online delivery at UW Oshkosh combines the best of both worlds--students get the flexibility they need with the same academic quality of our on-campus programs.

Courses are delivered through Desire 2 Learn (D2L). Students interact with their professors and classmates through online discussion, class lectures, and a drop box for assignments. In online courses there is no scheduled meeting time, but there are deadlines and due dates for projects, assignments and discussions.

Students get a full orientation and introduction to online learning in D2L before class begins, and UW Oshkosh provides academic and technology resources for students, faculty and staff.

Mission Statement

The FERM Program's mission is to:

Assist fire and emergency response management students in acquiring management, leadership, critical thinking and communication skils that will expand their career perspective, promote lifelong learning and enrich their personal and civic life

Prepare students to manage complex public health and safety organizations and supervise employees

Prepare students to more effectively respond to public health and safety needs of the diverse communities and citizens that they serve

Prepare students for post-graduate work in public administration or a related field